During family summer getaways, kids and teens always come to beat the heat. As their favorite aunt, you should let them know they can also have fun and drink some mocktails!
A mocktail, which is short for “mock cocktail”, is a popular non-alcoholic mixed drink for kids, teens, and even adults who’d want to steer clear of alcohol. Mocktails are a mix of fruit juices, sodas, infused waters, sliced fruits, and other non-alcoholic ingredients. These ingredients are mixed in the right ratios to have a spectrum of colors and flavors — just like a real cocktail.
Here are 5 classic mocktails that will earn you extra points for being the coolest aunt!
1. Peach Iced Tea
Peaches are good for the skin. They contain antioxidants that prevent skin from sagging. Moreover, it has an anti-obesity effect. Which is why you should make this peachy drink, but just make sure no one’s allergic to peaches.
Just so you know, the alcoholic version of this drink is mixed with vodka.
You’ll just need:
1/2 cup sugar
7 cups water
4 ripe peaches, sliced (3 for the syrup, 1 for garnish)
2 teabags
3 cups ice
How to make peach iced tea:
? Firstly, make the syrup by combining ½ sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan and put on medium heat. Next, add the peaches after the sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
? Blend the syrup until the peaches turn into bits, then strain them. After that, store the syrup in a jar, and put it in the fridge.
? Put 2 teabags in a large bowl, and pour 6 cups of boiling water. Then, leave the teabags for about 2 minutes, then remove them afterward. Let it cool.
? Combine the peach syrup, tea, ice, and more cold water (if needed) in a jug. At last, serve in a glass with sliced peaches on top. Enjoy!
2. Sober Ginger Beer
Who says kids can’t have a beer? Ginger beer has a wide range of health benefits. It provides good digestion, remedies nausea, and many more. Additionally, its alcoholic version originated from Yorkshire, England in the mid-1700s. For your reference, the version with alcohol is fermented, while the non-alcoholic one is carbonated.
You can now make your own with these 3 easy steps!
You’ll just need:
170g ginger, sliced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
⅓ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1-liter water
ice
How to make sober ginger beer:
? Combine ginger, lemon zest and juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and water into a saucepan. Next, stir until the sugar has been dissolved. Then, put on medium heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. After that, turn off the heat, and set it aside to cool.
? Strain the mixture in a pitcher until the syrup is separated from the lemon zest and ginger.
? Put some ice in the pitcher with syrup, and add more water if needed. Lastly, serve in a tall glass.
3. Virgin Sangria
This sangria contains vitamins and minerals which makes it a perfect drink for every event. It’s almost the same as the sangria you can order at Spanish restaurants, but this one won’t make you tipsy.
You’ll just need:
1 cup grape juice
1tbsp lemon juice
1tbsp lime juice
1 8oz. canned apple juice concentrate (frozen and thawed)
½ orange (sliced)
1 apple (cored and chopped)
½ lime (sliced)
1 cup strawberries (sliced)
1 cup water
Ice
How to make virgin sangria:
? Combine grape juice, lemon juice, lime juice, and apple juice concentrate in a pitcher. Make sure to use a pitcher with enough space for all the fruits and ice.
? Add orange, lime, apple, and strawberry slices, and stir.
? Add water and some ice. Finally, serve in a tall glass, and don’t forget to add some fruits.
4. Watermelon and Strawberry Slush
Watermelon contains 92% water, and 8% Vitamin A & C. Strawberries, on the other hand, have many anti-inflammatory properties and are also filled with antioxidants that prevent diseases such as cancer and heart problems. That’s why this drink is recommended for everyone!
You’ll just need:
2 cups watermelon
2 cups strawberry
1 tbsp lime juice
mint leaves or strawberry slice
1 cup ice
How to make watermelon and strawberry slush:
? First, blend the watermelon, strawberries, and lime juice. Then gradually add some ice, and make sure they’re crushed nicely.
? Pour in a serving glass, and garnish with chopped mint or strawberry slice. Then, serve!
5. Piña colada
Whether you like the song Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes or you just want the summer vibe in Hawaii, this is a perfect drink for you!
You’ll Need:
2 cups pineapple juice
½ cup pineapple cubes
¾ cup cream of coconut
4 cups ice
pineapple wedges or cherry, for garnish
How to make piña colada:
? Start with blending the pineapple cubes, pineapple juice, ice, and coconut milk in a blender. If you want, you can also substitute frozen pineapple cubes with ice to have a stronger taste.
? Pour the mixture into a tall glass.
? Garnish with pineapple wedges or cherry. You can serve this with a shrimp cocktail or some chips.
Now, you can enjoy partying with these 5 mocktails to choose from! If you know other easy-to-make mocktails, let us know in the comments section.
